Subscribe to the New Activate Podcast, Science on a Mission!
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Science on a Mission, dedicated to illuminating the journey of deep-tech innovations and innovators from lab to marketplace. This new podcast aims to demystify the path to commercialization for deep-tech innovation, provide the deep-tech community with the wisdom to navigate the complexities of commercializing breakthrough technologies, and explore the terrain around science entrepreneurship, hard-tech commercialization, and science leadership.
Activate CEO Cyrus Wadia notes about the podcast: "At Activate, we're dedicated to turning scientific breakthroughs into tangible, market-ready solutions. Science on a Mission is a platform where the brightest minds discuss not only the potential of deep tech but also the practical steps necessary for bringing these innovations to the market."
Technology journalist Molly Wood hosts the first episode, featuring a diverse panel of leaders, including Wadia, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Opera Bioscience Julie Ming Liang (Cohort 2023), and CEO and Co-Founder of Terra Watts Kaitlyn Suarez (Cohort 2023). Recorded at SXSW 2024, the podcast dives into the crucial role of deep tech in addressing urgent climate challenges and the broader sustainability landscape.
The first episode discusses the aspiring science leader’s journey from lab to market, how to avoid the “valley of death” in early-stage company development, and how to access “mountains of opportunity” instead. On the accelerant of entrepreneurism that Activate provides, Liang said in the episode: "We're trained academically to solve problems and understand the science of what we're doing. But we don't understand the market [side] of it, and that the things that we think are important as scientists aren't always what the market needs or what the customer needs." Suarez added: "We have to go faster, and we have to know tomorrow if these ideas can scale or not scale. Academics are not moving at that scale."
Science on a Mission is a comprehensive guide for anyone in the scientific community looking to make an impact through commercialization. Through in-depth discussions and expert insights, the podcast demystifies the path from discovery to market success, providing listeners with the strategies and inspiration needed to navigate this challenging landscape.
The podcast is available on all major streaming platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.